Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-05-14
WAS IT DOROTHY?

'.Now, Uncle Buttonball, think
! you are foolishly preiudiced about it."
Mr.. Benedict Buttonball. commonly
called "Uncle Ben." shook his head AZ
, Frank Worralrs levity.
'.Maybe / am." said he. sbut we're
not to blame for our convictions. I
: can't help mine, anyhow. And ]
couldn't any more marry in the face Of
my promise to Hephsibah than could
join the Mormonsr"
"Paulina Pepper is a pretty girl"
said Frank, ''and good girl, too. Al
though not young"
''If she was she wouldn't be suitable
to mel" said Mr.. Buttonball. II don't
deny that it's all true enough, what
you say. But you perceive, am the
victim Of circumstances"
circumstances be hangedr' eiacu-
lated Frank Worrall, losing his temper
at last and banging the door behind
him. as he hurried out of the room.
Mr.. Buttonban again shook his head.
took his silver spectacles out Of their
case, and unfolded the newspaper.
"Polly Pepper would make a nice
wife," he thought to himself. "As
plump and round and fresh-colored as
September peach. or a cabbage rose;
and a woman, too. that thoroughly un-
derstands housekeeping. ! elmost wish
l hadn't promised my dear departed
Hephsibah never to marry againl But
it's all past and over and it can't DO un-
done, more's the pity!"
"lsnt he fool!' said Dorothy Mar
tin. ''And is he really so supersttious
about breaking the promise that that
unreasonable viIago Of a wife exacted
from him?"
"Unquestionably he is" said Frank
Worrall. II suppose he actually be-
lieves that my Aunt Hephsibah would
haunt him, if he married again, with
out her express permission. For man
of ordinary intelligence. Uncle Button
ball is superstitious.
"HowP" questioned Dorothy.
"Oh, he sees winding sheets in the
candle, believes there will be death
in the family if dog chances to howl
under the window and would sooner
cut of his right hand than b.gin hay
ing or go ON journey of Hsiay."
"Frank!" hesitatingly began Doro-
thy.
"Wellr'
"What sort Of a woman was your
Aunt HephsibahP You know never
saw her. She died before I came to
Hopton to live"
"A little. fat woman. with spectacles
and brown foro-top. wAo always wore
brown gingham and talked through
her nose. forgot. though-shs nad
monstrosity Of cap. with . frill two
inches wide all around Il. and colcs-
sal bow Of snuf-oolorsd ribbon perchsd
on the very top-a guy OF cap, only
fit for a scarecrow.
''Not at all like Paulina Pepper"
said Dorothy. "And Paulina really
likes Mr.. Buttonball-and she needs
home, poor thing. Not to speak Of
Mr.. Buttonball's evident admiration
for Paulina. 1t would certainly be
match if0
''If it wasn't for the departed saint
in snuff-colored ribbons" said Frank.
with an irreverent imitation Of his
Uncle Buttonbalrs peculiar intonation
when speaking Of his deceased wife.
'.Poor Paulina" said Dorothy.
.'And poor Uncle Buttonball." echo
ed Frank Worrall. Upon the whole.
darling. it looks like a hard case"
''Past eleven O'clock" said Uncle
Buttonball. looking up at the clock
over the rims Of tho silver spectacles.
''Well, hadn't an idea ii was so late.
And showing and blowing like all pos
Sessed. and the wind bowling down the
chimney fit to set mans teeth on
edge. Just such a night as poor
Hephsibah died four years ago, and
bless me-" with a slight cold SILVER
down his spinal column, ''if It amt
the 29th Of November-tho identical
anniversary Of the sad event. Poor
Hephsy." folding his hands and look
ing thoughtfully into the fire; II hope
she's happy In the other world. She
never took much comfort in this. what
with flies and dust and poor kitchen
help"
And then Mr.. Buftonball fell into a
dozo or q reveric-the never could be
quite certain wbich-from which he
was aroused BY De old kitchen clock
striking twelve.
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